Bollywood insiders come out in support of Rajkumar Hirani

Ace film-maker has been accused of sexual harassment by unknown woman

After the likes of Boney Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi and Dia Mirza – amongst many others – it is veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar who has come out in support of Rajkumar Hirani. The film-maker has been accused of sexual assault by an unknown woman who was working with him on Sanju last year, reported The Indian Express.

Calling Hirani ‘the most decent man,’ Akhtar tweeted, “I had come to the film industry in 1965. After so many years, if I am asked who are the most decent people I met in this industry over almost five decades, perhaps the first name that will come to my mind is Raju Hirani. GB Shaw has said, ‘It is too dangerous to be too good'.”

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

The 56-year-old – who has made super hits like Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots and PK – has denied the allegations in a statement. “I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body,” Hirani said in an official statement. “The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false, malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation.”

In a recent interview, even actor Arshad Warsi said he was shocked to hear about Hirani’s case. “I have known Raju sir for so many years. I have never seen him do one thing wrong. He is a thorough gentleman. He is a nice, sweet and hardworking person,” he said. “It’s hard. It’s very difficult to believe. When I heard it, it was a shock for me just like everybody else. I couldn’t believe it. I still don’t, to be honest.”

PHOTO: HINDUSTAN TIMES

Echoing the sentiments, producer Boney Kapoor also stated he doesn’t believe the accusations. “Rajkumar Hirani is too good a man to do something like this. I don’t believe this allegation. He can never do something like this,” he declared.

Mirza and Joshi, who have worked with Hirani, also stood by him and refused to believe anything being said about the film-maker.

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